1To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I was honored yesterday Night with your letters of the 15th. Ult. & 1st. Inst. The Post Setting of again this Morning & my being Tormented with the fever will I hope Serve as an Apology for my laconism & for any incoherence which may Slip in my Answer. Permit me first, Sir, To express my happiness at Seeing myself under the imediate orders of an Officer whom I have allways revered for his...
2To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 3, 1799 . Discusses the weaknesses of United States forts on the Great Lakes. Encloses “the Plan of Detroit.” Complains about contractors buying too much flour and about delays in settling quartermaster’s accounts and lack of reinforcements. States: “Sir John Johnson having politely offered me To Take charge of whatever I Should want to Send To Detroit & Mackinac, I...
3To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 28, 1799 . Asks that soldiers employed in the quartermaster’s department be given extra pay for extra work. States that Dr. John G. Coffin, surgeon’s mate and acting quartermaster general, has had to assume responsibility for such payments and that he should be reimbursed. Also states: “… the State of my health is Such as To induce me To sollicit To be relieved.… I...
4To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 2, 1799 . Sends a plan of Michilimackinac. Defends his request for extra pay for extra duty. Quotes from the following letter which he received from the Issuing Commissary: “By a letter which I received yesterday from the Contractor I am instructed (as this Garrison does not exceed 50 Men) To give up Stores under my charge To The Commanding Officer.… I hold myself in...
5To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 30 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 30, 1799 . Acknowledges “your letter of the 2d. instant, respecting The Superintendant of Indian Affairs.” Describes repairs that have been made under his direction to Fort Niagara. States that among those individuals on boats passing the fort there was “… no body who could excite Suspicions—Most of those people being either Known traders from Schenectady or comon...
6To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] June 12, 1799 . Reports that “The British Garrison continues To Work with all Speed at Fort George.… Captn. Pilkington who is the Engineer comunicated all the drawings relative To The execution of the place with a confidence extremely pleasing. It is him who constructed fort Miami & he has lent me all the papers in his possession by which I Shall be able To frame a Plan.…”...
7To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 27 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] June 27, 1799 . Encloses “a Map of river Miami, also a plan of The Fort of the Same Name.” States: “My health is I hope perfectly restored & as the fever has left me I trust soon to recover my usual Strength.” States that he is willing to remain at Niagara throughout the winter. Maintains that “a public Vessel on this lake … would I am Sure prove œconomical in the end.”...
8To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 25 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving last Evening your letter of the 25th. Ulto. which claims my warmest acknowledgments not only for the attention paid to my different requests, but also for the very delicate Manner in which you Notice an expression of my letter of the 21st. of March. The impropriety of it Struck me after the Post was gone. I Shall not endeavour to apologize for it by any other way...
9To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 8 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] August 8, 1799 . Again requests extra pay for soldiers doing extra work. Reports that he has hired a boat “to remove the Garrison of Oswego.” States that “Several of our men are unwell.” Discusses the repair of Fort Niagara. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See Rivardi to H, July 25, 1799 . See Rivardi to H, July 25, 1799 .
10To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 5 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] September 5, 1799 . “… I hope Captain Thompson will by the time this letter comes to hand, have had the honor of Seeing you & as I requested him To lay the different wants of this Garrison &a. before you.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see Rivardi to H, July 25, 1799 . Thompson and H did not meet, but in a letter dated September...
11To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 12[–16] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] September 12 [ –16 ] 1799 . Encloses “a New Ark paper containing an anonymous paragraph against me—also my letter on the Subject to the Magistrates of New Ark together with their answer.” Has employed Dr. James Muirhead to attend the sick at the fort during Dr. John G. Coffin’s absence and at Coffin’s expense. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. On September 7,...
12To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 2 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 26th of August. I have been waiting with anxiety for the arrival of Major Hoops & Captain Still & I begin To apprehend they met with Some accident on the way. Permit me To offer it as my opinion that before I exhibit formally charges against Captain Bruff it would be perhaps proper To wait for a final result of those which he entered against me....
13To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 17 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] October 17, 1799 . “Major Hoops & Captain Still arrived here on the 4th Instt. & opened the Court of Inquiry the Same day.… I lament that a business which I was in hopes would not last three or four days has already Taken So much Time. I yesterday only began to bring forward my own Evidences. From The Turn which The Affair has Taken I owe To myself Not to think of...
14To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 15 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] November 15, 1799 . Describes his plans for repairing the fort, and discusses the friendly relations between British and American forces stationed on the Niagara River. States: “Two Regiments have arrived at Quebec & the Brittish force which will remain in Canada this winter amounts To upwards of Eight thousand regulars exclusive of two provincial Battalions.” ALS ,...
15To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 12 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] December 12, 1799 . Discusses need for medical supplies, the difficulty of operating without a quartermaster, and the relative weakness of the garrison. States: “… Captain Laughton Spoke To me Since his return as if it was a matter fixed upon & as if he was already appointed for the Superintendance of the construction as well as for the command of the Vessel when built—he...
16To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 6 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] February 6, 1800 . Reports that he has “received orders of Colonel Hamtramck To Transmit in future all returns To him as commanding the division To which this Garrison is annexed” and that he “will act accordingly.” Requests that “a gold lancet case or Some other articles” be presented “as a Token of gratitude” to British doctors who “attended our Sick.” States that he...
17To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 1 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 1, 1800 . “I am this moment honored with your letter of the 21st. of March.… About a year ago, The Tuscororas came to me, complaining of one of their horses having been killed.… I made in their presence imediate inquiries.… circumstances induced me To believe that Some Settlers of The landing place had been guilty of that offense. The Chiefs appeared To concur in the...
18To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 8, 1800 . Reports that his investigation has uncovered evidence that “a discharged Soldier” was “guilty of Killing Indian horses” and that the Tuscaroras, who were present at the inquiries, “Seemed to be perfectly pleased” with the evidence obtained. States that he has been “Sollicited To give Some Assistance Towards establishing a road from Tantawantee” to Niagara and...
19To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 15, 1800 . “Since I had the honor of writing To you last concerning the affair which you ordered me To examine, I was informed … That General Hunter & perhaps the Duke of Kent would in the Course of a few Weeks arrive at Fort George on business respecting their Government. It is probable in that case that they will pay a visit To This Garrison & I feel not a little...
20To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 20 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Niagara [ New York ] June 20, 1800 . “I am honored this day with your letters dated May 31st. & June 5th. I Shall certainly pay the greatest attention To the hint contained in the former—& the necessity alone will impell me To receive in a public Maner the persons alluded To; indeed I fancy there is little probability of a visit of the Duke’s—as to the General I Suppose he will come...
21To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 16 July 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Niagara [ New York ] July 16, 1800 . Complains of delays in the payment of quartermaster drafts, the delays in orders sent to him, the lack of experienced officers, and the reduction in troop strength. States that the British garrison has been reinforced. Thanks Hamilton for “the promises … respecting the Brittish Surgeons” and for “the assurance … respecting the Court of Inquiry.” ALS ,...
22To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 2 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge a letter of Mr. Ellery Assistant Adjutant General—containing regulations for the allowances granted to travelling Officers—they have been comunicated to the Gentlemen of this Garrison. The Subject of this letter which will be conveyed by a private opportunity (its importance to me not allowing my feelings to wait untill next post) is Some information given to me yesterday...
23To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 11 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 25th. Ultimo & comunicated its contents to Doctor Coffin who is making his arrangements in consequence—I Shall take on me the responsibility of all his Accounts as Quarter Master & hope that the arrival of Some officer capable of conducting the business of that Department will Soon relieve me of the Task. I received also General orders of the...
24To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 15 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor Coffin will have the honor of presenting you this letter his being a very intelligent young officer—well acquainted with every thing concerning Niagara will enable him to give you a full account of what concerns this Garrison & particularly the Quarter Masters Department; he has taken with him the papers necessary for Settling the public debts contracted either for purchased articles or...
25To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 18 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor Coffin being at the Moment of his departure when I received the inclosed of the Brittish Comanding Officer at Fort George—I thought it would be a pleasing proof to you of the good harmony existing between the Garrisons. In haste I repeat the assurance of the respectfull consideration with which I have the honor to be Sir, Your Most Obedient & Very humble Servant ( ALS , Hamilton Papers,...
26To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 22 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that Lieutenant Visscher with 22 Men arrived on the 17th. Instt. from Oswego; where agreeable to your direction a Non Comissioned Officer & four privates were left to take care of the Stores which might be forwarded through that Post. I must observe however that Mr. Visscher represents the Serjeant left behind as a man not to be trusted & I Should relieve him...
27To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have half an hour ago delivered my defence to the Court of Inquiry—Major Hoops & Captain Still, intend to Set of To Morrow Morning, I therefore do myself the honor of transmitting by them my reasons for not entering any charges against Captain Bruff; indeed for declining bringing any forward at any time— Was I to arrest him he would not be tried for want of a Sufficient number of Officers &...
28To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 31 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I was honored this Moment with your letters of the first & third Instant. The Mail arriving & Setting off this time on Muster day, is a circumstance which will prevent my Sending now the Monthly Garrison papers for October, & my answering fully to Several of your queries. I will endeavour by next post to be as explicit as the Subject admits with regard to estimates of repairs &a. I Shall only...
29To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 10 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
This Moment the fatal news of the death of our Comander in Chief have reached this Fort—and my mind is So depressed by that unfortunate event that you will have the goodness to excuse my laconism—I would have paid the usual tribute of military honors to the memory of the departed hero, but the order of the Secretary of war published in the papers induced me to postpone that Mournful ceremony...
30To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I would not have taken the liberty of troubling you by this Post, if a Matter of infinite concern to me had not occurred Since my last; The long expected decision concerning the Court of Inquiry being a few days ago the topic of a conversation among Some of my acquaintances—I was informed that Captain Bruff had expressed great hopes of anulling the proceedings because I Kept the Comand of this...